GPS tags for criminals a ‘catastrophic waste of cash’

The introduction of a new electronic tag was planned for November but will now be pushed backGETTY IMAGES

A project to develop a new electronic tag for criminals has been condemned by MPs as overcomplicated and a “catastrophic waste of public money”.

At least £9 million of taxpayers’ money has been spent on the scheme, which is running five years late. Ministry of Justice officials have admitted that the introduction of the tags has been delayed from November this year to 2019.

In a report MPs accused the justice ministry of pressing ahead without evidence that the plan was feasible. The ministry has spent £60 million so far on a bungled attempt to produce a world-leading tag that would have combined radio frequency and GPS technology, allowing the authorities to track criminals’ precise location. However, it is still relying on tags that were…

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